In Rijswijk, a vibrant municipality near The Hague with many young students at Hague universities, partner maintenance is a logical follow-up to the parental maintenance obligation. Article 1:157 CC regulates contributions between partners during their joint household, relevant for couples in neighbourhoods such as Innenstad or Oud-Rijswijk.
Conditions in Rijswijk
Both partners must be studying, such as at TU Delft or Leiden University, or have a temporary income gap due to an internship at local companies. The maintenance obligation applies until 1 year after the last study, taking into account high rents in Rijswijk of around €900-€1200 for student rooms.
Calculation
Based on ability to pay and need, often 50/50 with equal income. Local costs such as rent in Rijswijk, study books, public transport subscription to The Hague and living expenses at supermarkets such as Jumbo or Albert Heijn are taken into account. For example: €450 per month for a studying partner.
Difference with child maintenance
In contrast to the parental obligation for 18-21 year olds, partner maintenance does not end at a fixed age, but upon self-sufficiency. Judges at the District Court of The Hague, competent for Rijswijk, scrutinise more strictly in the case of cohabiting couples and take local jobs in the region into account.
Example: A working partner in Rijswijk pays €450 to the studying partner, adjusted upon job change at a local tech company. Upon separation, maintenance continues until the end of studies, supported by recent rulings in the region.